All the pieces were in place for Issaquah.
Down 10, the Eagles were set to receive the ball to start the second half. As a bonus, the gusting wind was at their back.
“We needed to go down and score right there,” Issaquah head coach Chris Bennett said. “If we did, it’s a one-score game.”
Of course, it’s all much easier said than done against one of the top defensive teams in the state. And Bothell, a group that has six shutouts this season, flexed its muscle at a crucial moment on Friday night. The Cougars forced the Eagles into a three-and-out to start the second half, leading to a 30-9 state quarterfinal victory and a matchup against Skyline or Curtis in next week’s 4A semifinals.
“Our defense has played great all year,” said an elated Bothell head coach, Tom Bainter. “We demand so much from them.”
While the defense held at an important time, it was what the Cougars’ offensive response that did the Eagles in. After Issaquah punted, Bothell drove 91 yards on 14 plays, capping it off with a 2-yard Colby Burke touchdown. The score gave the Cougars a 20-3 lead, and ate up nearly 7 minutes of clock.
Issaquah was forced into another three-and-out punt on its next possession, before finally finding itself on offense. Fullback Nik Landdeck capped off a 12-play, 69-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, pulling the score to 20-9 with 9:11 remaining.
Bothell quickly put the contest out of reach, however.
Four plays after a failed Issaquah onside kick, Cougar quarterback Mitchell Muller found receiver Kevin Knapp on a 54-yard bomb for a touchdown.
“Our kids played their tails off, Bennett said. “We had chances to make plays and we didn’t, and they did on both sides of the football — that’s kind of what it came down to.”
Bothell took the initial lead with 4:29 left in the first quarter via a 47-yard field goal from Jon Mercer. The Cougars took a 10-0 advantage with 10:12 left in the second quarter after Muller found Knapp for a 9-yard TD. The score came just two plays after Bothell blocked a punt deep in Issaquah territory.
The Eagles answered with a 12-play, 69-yard drive, that resulted in a 30-yard Gavin Schumaker field goal. The Cougars countered with a 26-yard field goal from Mercer, and a 13-3 halftime lead.
Bothell played the entire second half without the services of top running back Luke Proulx, who went out in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Bainter said he will be ready for next week’s semifinal game, but praised the depth of his team. Seven different ball carriers amassed 151 yards.
“In practice they work on the offense,” he said. “If we get into a position where we need them, we have them.”
Muller ended the contest completing 13 of 20 passes for 222 yards.
Issaquah, which ended its season at 8-4 overall, was led by senior Grant Gellatly’s 58 yards on 12 carries. Senior quarterback Ryan Bergman was 18-for-35, passing for 171 yards. He had one interception and no touchdowns.
“We had high expectations,” Bennett said. “I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say the goal was to get back to Tacoma. We came up about three touchdowns short here tonight, but certainly not by lack of effort.”
Bothell (12-0) will face the winner of tonight’s Skyline-Curtis game.
Asked about a possible rematch with Skyline, Bainter smiled.
“We just have the utmost of respect for Skyline, their players and their coaching staff … it will be a great rematch and what high school is football is all about,” he said. “It will be a great thing for the fans to see.”
